Dr
(Prof) Surendra Kumar Ray commonly known as Dr SK Ray to the veterinary
fraternity and a household name not only among pet lovers of Bhubaneswar, the capital
city of Odisha. Prof. Ray was born on 10th January 1942 in the
district of Jajpur, Odisha as the third among five brothers and one sister. He is
survived by his wife and three sons. Dr Ray contributed to the advancement of
veterinary profession in many ways. He served as the President, Orissa
Veterinary Council, Chairman Technical Committee, Nandankanan Zoological Park;
Chairman, Institutional Animal Ethics Committee, Regional Medical Research
Centre, ICMR, Institute of Life Science, Post Graduate Department of Zoology
and Biotechnology, Utkal University, Orissa Biological Products Institute and
National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar. He was also the
President of Orissa Livestock Development Society which works for the interest
of livestock farmers of Orissa. Dr Ray left for heavenly abode on December, 18,
2021.
Professional
Career
Prof.
SK Ray graduated in 1964 with BVSc & AH degree from College of Veterinary
Science & Animal Husbandry (OVC), Bhubaneswar, under Odisha University of
Agriculture and Technology (OUAT). Dr Ray joined service in the state
government as Veterinary Assistant Surgeons. After graduation he joined in
State Government as Veterinary Assistant Surgeon / Research Assistant for 3
years and then worked in a multinational pharmaceutical company for around two
years. Thereafter, he obtained his Master’s degree from OUAT in 1972 and PhD
degree from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana in 1976, both in
Veterinary Medicine.
Dr
Ray joined OUAT as a Lecturer in Veterinary Medicine at Orissa University of
Agriculture and Technology on 10th May 1969 from where he
superannuated on 31st January 2002 as Professor and Head, Department
of Veterinary Medicine. He was on deputation to Government of Orissa as
Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Orissa for 3 years (1997-2000).
In 1999, Dr Ray successfully organised a national symposium along with the XVII
Annual Conference of Indian Society of Veterinary Medicine in OUAT while
holding the post of Director of AH and Veterinary Services (Odisha) in
collaboration with OUAT. After his superannuation he worked as Emeritus
Scientist of Indian Council of Agricultural Research for a period of two years.
In 1999, Dr Ray attended the 1st International Course on “Livestock
and Environment Interaction” at International Centre for Agriculture in
Netherlands.
Major Scientific
Contributions
His
contribution to medicine sector is unparallel in many ways. As a team they reported
a new coccidian species Eimeria pandel
from Indian Mongoose. They studied on the ecology and distribution of Lymnea auricularia var rufescens the intermediate host of Fasciola gigantica along with the life
cycle and distribution of Echinostoma
revolutum in Odisha. They reported an outbreak of Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection amongst peacocks (Pavo cristatus) for the first time. They
demonstrated the differential diagnostic procedure of actinomycosis and
actinobacillosis in formalin fixed tissue section by fluroscent antibody
technique for the first time in buffaloes. In addition, they reported the
viability of arthrospores of Trichophyton
verrucosum for more than 2 years in the infected hairs under variable
temperature and humidity conditions. They further demonstrated the antifungal
activity of chloroform extract of Curcuma
longa L against T. verrucosum in in
vitro and in vivo conditions in clinical cases of ringworm in calves. Their poignant
observations on demodicosis in dog and cattle added new dimension to the poorly
understood life cycle and pathogencity of the parasite.
They
studied the effect of fluorosis in livestock in and around aluminium smelter
plant of National Aluminium Company Limited, Angul and some brick kiln area of
the state through two independent research projects on the subject. The team identified
areas of endemic (natural hydro fluorosis) and their effect on livestock in Odisha.
Besides the team assessed the status of elements Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb and Zn in
grazing cattle adjacent to National Highway No. 5 (Presently, NH16) between
Cuttack and Bhubaneswar which is known as one of the busiest motorways in the
country from vehicular point of view. They observed a high level of lead in the
blood coupled with contaminated fodder and soil in the villages adjacent to NH5
indicating the effect of heavy traffic on livestock population.
As
conservation of biodiversity plays a major role in nature conservation and
germplasm preservation, he contributed immensely in the formation of Orissa
State Livestock Policy and studied the native Paralakhemundi buffalo in Orissa
for its conservation. Further, they documented a report on “Biodiversity of
domestic animals in Orissa” for National Biodiversity Action Plan project for
Ministry of Environment and Forestry Govt. of India.
Professional
Contribution
Dr
Ray guided 22 M.V.Sc. and 2 Ph.D. students in Veterinary Medicine in addition
to imparting teaching at undergraduate and post graduate level. He has handled three
research projects. He had published 65 research publications in reputed
national and international journals of repute along with several popular
articles to his credit. He has also authored a book “Text book of Veterinary
Ethics and Jurisprudence” and compiled two scientific monographs. He organised
two ICAR summer courses as course director and several National and State Level
Seminars as their Convenor. As an effort to update knowledge and skill of field
veterinary practitioners he was instrumental in organizing Continued Veterinary
Education programmes on “Pet Animal Health Management and Diagnostic Imaging
in canine practice”.
He
was a member of the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) for two terms where he
officiated as the Chairman of the Education Committee and Member, Executive
Committee and Regulation Committee of VCI. He was also a member of Executive
Council of West Bengal University of Fishery and Animal Sciences, Kolkata and Maharashtra
Animal and Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur.
He
was intimately associated with several scientific, social and cultural bodies.
He is Founder President of Indian Society for Advancement of Canine Practice,
Founder Honorary Secretary, Orissa Kennel Club and Member of several scientific
societies. He was the President of Indian Society for Veterinary Medicine. He
served as the Honorary Secretary of the “Utkal Gomangal Samiti” and “Society
for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Orissa” for 3 years.
Awards and Recognitions
Prof.
Ray was associated with scientific publishing as the Chief Editor of Indian
Journal of Veterinary Medicine, The Utkal Veterinarian and member of the
Editorial Board of national monthly “Pet India”. Dr Ray has been conferred the Degree of Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) by
Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology during 2012 for his
contribution to the cause of Veterinary Medicine.
For
his contribution to veterinary medicine and in general the profession, Dr Ray
was inducted as a Fellow of many scientific societies of repute, i.e., the
National Academy of Veterinary Science, India; Indian Society for Veterinary
Medicine, Association of Public Health Veterinarians and Indian Society for
Advancement of Canine Practice. For his contributions to care and treatment of
pets, he received PET CARE award for Canine Excellence in 2001. He also
received Dr P.L. Narayan Gold Medal by Indian Society for Veterinary Medicine
and Major (Mrs.) Malika Trivedi
IAAVR Award by Indian Association for Advancement of Veterinary Research.
Veterinary
profession will be indebted to the services of Dr SK Ray for his contribution
to the society. On the occasion of "AAZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV" we respect
his contribution to the farming community for popularization of veterinary
medicine and strengthening veterinary sector in Odisha.
Durga Prasad Das and Ranjan
Kumar Mohanta
